Network Working Group S. Harris
Request for Comments: 3005 Merit Network
BCP: 45 November 2000
Category: Best Current Practice
IETF Discussion List Charter
Status of this Memo
This document specifies an Internet Best Current Practices for the
Internet Community, and requests discussion and suggestions for
improvements. Distribution of this memo is unlimited.
Copyright Notice
Copyright (C) The Internet Society (2000). All Rights Reserved.
Abstract
The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) discussion mailing list
furthers the development and specification of Internet technology
through discussion of technical issues, and hosts discussions of IETF
direction, policy, meetings, and procedures. As this is the most
general IETF mailing list, considerable latitude is allowed.
Advertising, whether to solicit business or promote employment
opportunities, falls well outside the range of acceptable topics, as
do discussions of a personal nature.
Charter for the IETF Discussion List
The IETF discussion list, ietf@ietf.org, serves two purposes. It
furthers the development and specification of Internet technology
through discussion of technical issues. It also hosts discussions of
IETF direction, policy, meetings, and procedures. As this is the
most general IETF mailing list, considerable latitude is allowed.
Advertising, whether to solicit business or promote employment
opportunities, falls well outside the range of acceptable topics, as
do discussions of a personal nature.
This list is meant for initial discussion only. Discussions that
fall within the area of any working group or well established list
should be moved to such more specific forum as soon as this is
pointed out, unless the issue is one for which the working group
needs wider input or direction.
Harris Best Current Practice [Page 1]

RFC 3005 IETF Discussion List Charter November 2000
In addition to the topics noted above, appropriate postings include:
- Last Call discussions of proposed protocol actions
- Discussion of technical issues that are candidates for IETF work,
but do not yet have an appropriate e-mail venue
- Discussion of IETF administrative policies
- Questions and clarifications concerning IETF meetings
- Announcements of conferences, events, or activities that are
sponsored or endorsed by the Internet Society or IETF.
Inappropriate postings include:
- Unsolicited bulk e-mail
- Discussion of subjects unrelated to IETF policy, meetings,
activities, or technical concerns
- Unprofessional commentary, regardless of the general subject
- Announcements of conferences, events, or activities that are not
sponsored or endorsed by the Internet Society or IETF.
The IETF Chair, the IETF Executive Director, or a sergeant-at-arms
appointed by the Chair is empowered to restrict posting by a person,
or of a thread, when the content is inappropriate and represents a
pattern of abuse. They are encouraged to take into account the
overall nature of the postings by an individual and whether
particular postings are an aberration or typical. Complaints
regarding their decisions should be referred to the IAB.
Acknowledgements
Comments by Donald E. Eastlake 3rd and other members of the IETF
POISSON working group are gratefully acknowledged.
Author's Address
Susan R. Harris
Merit Network, Inc.
4251 Plymouth Rd., Suite C
Ann Arbor, MI 48105-2785
Phone: (734) 936-2100
Fax: (734) 647-3185
EMail: srh@merit.edu
Harris Best Current Practice [Page 2]

RFC 3005 IETF Discussion List Charter November 2000
Full Copyright Statement
Copyright (C) The Internet Society (2000). All Rights Reserved.
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or assist in its implementation may be prepared, copied, published
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English.
The limited permissions granted above are perpetual and will not be
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Acknowledgement
Funding for the RFC Editor function is currently provided by the
Internet Society.
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